Induction of labour

What is an induction of labour

Labour is a natural process usually starting on its own between 37-42 weeks of pregnancy. Induction of labour is a pathway to try to start labour artificially. 

Why you might be offered an induction

An induction of labour may be offered at different times during pregnancy and for a number of reasons. These include your pregnancy going beyond a certain number of weeks, concerns related to your health or for your baby’s wellbeing.

Every birthing person has a unique set of circumstances and should receive personalised advice from their obstetric team. You will be supported to have open discussions with your team and be advised on risks, benefits and alternatives, taking into account your preferences.

Need to make a decision?

Use the 'BRAIN' tool to help you make a decision.

Benefits - What are the benefits of this procedure? How will this positively impact my labour, my baby or myself?

Risks - What are the risks of this procedure? How might this negatively affect my labour, my baby or myself?

Alternatives - Are there alternatives to this procedure? Are there other options that may have similar results? 

Intuition - What is my gut telling me about this? 

Need time/nothing - Can this procedure be delayed? Can I take some time to think about it? What will happen if l choose to watch and wait for now?

How we arrange your induction of labour

All decisions for induction of labour will be referred to the multidisciplinary team who discuss each case individually and offer you a plan for your induction. Find out more on the NHS website. 

Your induction of labour appointment

On the day of your planned induction of labour, please call Sherwood Birthing Unit on: 01623 672244, before 8am to confirm the availability for your induction. Please be aware that if SBU is busy, your induction of labour may be delayed until it is safe to proceed. This is to protect the wellbeing of you and your baby as well as that of other women being cared for in the hospital. We will always aim to keep delays to a minimum but sometimes these are unpredictable and we will keep you updated if this is the case.

Please come to the Maternity Ward at the time you are given. This is a mixed antenatal and postnatal ward, located in Women’s & Children’s, on the first floor at Kings Mill Hospital.

Before you begin the induction process, your midwife will need to:

  • ask you if you are experiencing any signs of labour
  • assess your current wellbeing through assessment of your temperature, pulse and blood pressure. You will also be asked to provide a urine sample.
  • examine your abdomen with their hands (known as palpation) to confirm your baby is head down
  • listen to your baby’s heartbeat continuously for approximately 30 to 60 minutes using an electronic fetal monitor (CTG). The exact length of time may vary and will be determined on an individual basis.
  • perform an internal (vaginal) examination to assess the length and dilatation of your cervix. The Propess will be inserted at this time if indicated.

After the Propess is inserted, your midwife will discuss your on-going care with you. We encourage you to be mobile, shower/bath if you wish and eat and drink normally during your induction of labour. The hospital provides regular meals for you, but you may want to supplement this with your own snacks and drinks. Unfortunately, we cannot provide meals for your birth partner.